to tamp
13
7.0
- verb
- /tæmp/
- When I tried to tamp it down, it curled up as soon as I took my foot away.
Examples
-
When filling the hole, remember to tamp the gravel down firmly for stability.
-
When the burial was complete, we waited while the grave was filled in and tamped down.
Fiction book (2002) -
And then we just pop it down in the hole, tamp it in like that.
-
And yet we learn how to tamp that down.
-
So I'm just going to make sure to tamp soil and really tight around it.
-
"Two dollars a hole; I'll dig 'em three feet deep and tamp in the posts."
Fiction book (1998) -
Just tamp down the fervour.
-
Olivia was putting petunias into red clay pots, tamping down the dirt while she trilled, "I-i-i-t's summertime!"
Fiction book (1995) -
Gently tamp the soil around the plant to eliminate air pockets.
-
Before sealing the jar, make sure to tamp the vegetables tightly to avoid spoilage.
Synonyms
257
2.0
To fill something tightly with things
117
2.3
To press things together so they take less space
43
3.7
To press something so it takes less space
31
2.5
To push something down with force to make it flat or close it
11
4.4
To press something so it becomes smaller and takes less space
4
3.0
To press things so they fit more tightly together
2
6.3
To push people or things tightly into a small space
1
5.3
Press something down firmly to make it more compact
Antonyms
Phrasal Verbs
How Firmly
Surface Forms
Etymology
Tamp as a verb comes from the same French root tampon, meaning 'plug', and gives a clear picture: you push something down as if fitting a plug into a hole. So, to tamp is to press or pack something tightly down.